I HAVE watched with utmost surprise and shock the ongoing alleged intrigues by the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Chief Chris Akomas to contest the 2011 governorship election against his boss and incumbent governor, Dr. Theodore Orji. At first I thought it was a rumour which is and has been prevalent among politicians, especially as the next general election is fast approaching, but with unfolding events it seems clear that it is real.

As a tested politician who is versed in the art of deploying political strategies for maximum benefits, Anenih knows that a political party platform is a veritable means for contesting and winning elections. Therefore, the platform must be well run to achieve predetermined results.

TRUTH is gradually emerging on how the Anambra governorship election was won and lost. The upshot from the tribunal shows that some of the candidates currently seeking redress there have neither the reputation nor the competence needed to lead a state like Anambra.

I HAVE observed how over the years the general attitude of Nigerians towards corruption or perceived corruption has transformed from repulsion and revulsion to attraction. Or how else can one explain the rise in the number of corruption cases that are reported daily in the media in spite of the much-talked about war against corruption that the various administrations often declare? Bothersome as this trend has become already, it has begun to progress from mere attraction to outright celebration.

The Arewa Elders Assembly seems to be the latest name among the plethora of organizations that claim to be speaking for the hapless, beleaguered people of the North of the country. But, if the Arewa Elders Assembly sounds strange and perhaps, dismissed as just any one of those frivolous, opportunistic and self-seeking ethno-cultural, regionalist and religious interest groups, Alhaji Sani Zangon Daura, Dan-Masanin Daura, is neither an unknown entity nor can he be dismissed as insignificant.

IT is almost stale news that the Federal Government has budgeted a whopping N10 billion for the celebration of Nigeria’s 50th independence anniversary come October 1, 2010. Some Nigerians feel there is every reason and need for us to throw a lavish party to mark this event. They argue that “it is a big achievement for Nigeria to clock 50 years as a politically independent nation”.

WAS Nwosu aware that security reports had confirmed that some big politicians from the state, precisely from Ngwa axis, are allegedly behind the plot to discredit Orji’s administration ahead of next year’s election.

There is greater mobilization of conflicting interests in the polity; and the politics of zoning has added another dimension of desperation. Besides, the usual litigants are tired of the electoral adjudicatory process and are ready to improve the Kano, Bauch and Ekiti strategy. If President Jonathan becomes a candidate, then he can only win on ideas and platforms. He will win because he ran a campaign more credible than the rest.

IT is a time-honoured dictum that power corrupts and that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Any normal human being – normal being euphemistic in this sense – becomes, as it were, swollen-headed when invested with the power to manipulate people and things generally.

If I should receive my proper pension payments, as directed by the Federal Government, it will go a long way to making us, who built the NPA from its cradle to the octopus it has become today, more physically and mentally prepared to see the point in celebrating independence with the rest of the populace.